SASKATOON—The ongoing Dean French cronyism controversy has been personally “difficult,” says Doug Ford.However, the premier told the Star the treasury board will now be reviewing all pending appointments and he’s confident that’s the right approach.“I believe it is working. We are looking at everything underneath a microscope right now,” he told the Star during a short sit-down interview in Saskatchewan on the last day of the summer meeting of all 13 premiers and territorial leaders at the Council of the Federation.His comments came a day after his government was again rocked by the resignation of provincial appointee Andrew Suboch, who has close personal ties to French, as head of a committee that recommends new justices of the peace.French, Ford’s long-time friend and chief-of-staff, left his post last month after a number of questionable appointments came to light — in particular two high-paying international postings doled out to his son’s lacrosse buddy and his wife’s cousin. Both were revoked after the connection was revealed.Read more:Doug Ford says he acted ‘immediately’ on patronage scandal caused by former chief of staff Dean FrenchTop Ontario bureaucrat fired as Star reveals his longtime ties to Premier Doug Ford’s former chief of staff, Dean FrenchPremier Doug Ford accepts resignation of his controversial chief of staff, Dean FrenchJust last week, the Star revealed that Peter Fenwick, hired to a new position heading strategic transformation for the government, was a long-time insurance customer of French. He was immediately let go, and his department folded.The Globe and Mail had uncovered French’s longstanding friendship with Suboch, a lawyer, who on Wednesday “advised the Justice of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee that he is resigning effective immediately,” said Laryssa Waler Hetmanczuk, Ford’s executive director of communications. ...
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